Merry Christmas Eve!

Today is Christmas Eve and I woke up early to a wonderful man who told me "Merry Christmas Eve!" That has set the tone for the entire day. So today I get done what I can, but keep the busyness out of the day and completely enjoy the merriment Christmas brings.

So I donned by tacky Rudolph sweatshirt just to see the smile on my little boy's face, enjoy every interruption of "Uck! Mom! Mom!" as we run to the potty and play Christmas music loudly through the house. Last minute baking, wrapping and everything else but without a doubt the Season is in my heart.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Has it been this long?`

Has it really been since August since I posted last? It is now just 2 days before Christmas and the time has flown. My baby went from baby to toddler in what seems like overnight! He turned 2 in November. TWO! Can you believe it? We celebrated with all the excitment Chuck E. Cheese can muster up and it was so fun.

But the thing that has caught Jarrett's attention more than anything else is Disney on Ice. Mickey, Donald, the Cars and of course Tinkerbell still are talked about daily. Whenever he sees anything that was in that show, the first word out of his mouth is "Ice!" It was amazing as only Disney can do. Thank you to my husband's work for hooking us up with those tickets - it made my son's day.

And the thing that has caught my attention is something far less glamorous, but far more rewarding to my pocketbook. Coupons! Have they always been around? Did they just get invented? I feel almost ashamed of all of the money that I've waisted over the past years. Today, I saved $61.37 with coupons at the grocery store. And while that is great and probably the best that I've done, my friends are doing better. It's almost like keeping up with the Jones - but in reverse. There is a class that a lady in our community gives that I want to take, but my friends are now at the point that they are spending less than they are saving. Big props to Karina for saving over $97 and spending less than $89. So if you are interested, check out http://www.fistfulofcoupons.com/.

But now its Christmas and with only 2 days left, there is still all the baking, a little shopping and wrapping, and final preparations before Santa can show up at our door. So far only 1 present has been unwrapped from under the tree. Let's hope it stays that way.

Tonight, we go to visit Jeff's Grandma - Jarrett's GG. Hopefully he will perform "Away in a Manger" for her like we practiced. But when a 2 year old is the star of the show - you never know what you will get!

So my New Years Resolution (8 days early) will be to write more and eat less. Exercise? Na! - that can wait 'till 2011.

Poop!

It seems like until you are a mommy (pet mommy included), poop was never so important.

• Is he eating enough veggies? Check the poop!
• Dehydrated? Check the poop!
• Did he swallow a coin? Check the poop!

So for the past 24 hours, we've been on poop patrol. Increase fiber - lots of water - looking for that ever elusive coin or toy - foreign object unknown - and nothing. So, off for xrays to see poop from the inside out.....

Breakfast is the Best!

For someone who never really ate breakfast, I am finding that it is the best thing ever. Especially this morning. I had plenty of time - I was up and ready for the day before my baby (a complete miracle in itself)!

Jarrett, still in his PJs, donned his sock monkey apron, climbed up on the stool and was ready to help cook. We cracked eggs (yes, he cracked them too) and watched the goo come out. After a few cheers, (and removing a few shells) we begin to stir. So much joy for a 1 year old to stir his own eggs. "Ya, Ya, Ya!" was all I heard from him between giggles. He loved smashing the yokes, stirring the milk and after mommy helped him "go fast" with the fork, it was "more, more more" (via sign language). We poured the eggs in the skillet. Then it was off to tortillas. Jarrett put the tortillas on the plates, put the cheese on them (took a few bites of both) then we wrapped up our breakfast burritos. Time to eat!

Sitting at the table (not high chair), making sure both mommy and Jarrett had milk to drink, we enjoyed breakfast together. What a lovely way to start our day - we make a good team!

Guilt-Free Mommyhood

Why is it that when you become a mommy, one of the greatest blessings in a lifetime, guilt likes to come along and ruin the moments. It comes from many people, including yourself. Guilt that you are nursing or guilt that you aren't; guilt that you are working or guilt that you aren't; guilt that your child is in daycare or guilt that he isn't. When you are doing work, you feel guilty that you aren't doing some exciting/educational activity with your child. When you are with your child, you feel guilty for the pile of work that is still left to do.....such ugly GUILT! So from now on, I declare, "No More Guilt!"

I was listening to John Maxwell DVD last night and he was talking about cutting out all the non-essentials. So I am cutting out non-essential guilt (which basically means all guilt). Guilt is no longer welcome. The time I spend as mommy is so important that it doesn't make sense to ruin it with guilt.

Every moment I get, I'm going to enjoy. Not worry about what is next on the agenda. Not worry about what is left to do. Just enjoy the moments - each one as they come. Everyday is made up of wonderful moments with the most wonderful husband and little boy God could ever bless me with.

Already I feel great...and am enjoying the best family!

my first blog

My first blog and I'm at a loss of what to say (don't worry, it won't always be like this). I've actually been wanted to write for a while and thought that this would be a good entry into in. So stay tuned...more to come.